Olympic and World medalist Zaza Zazirov to lead Ukraine team at 2003 World Cup Championship in Boise

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Janessa Pierce (USA Wrestling)
03/27/2003


Two-time Olympian and two-time World medalist Zaza Zazirov (74 kg/163 lbs.) is expected to compete along with eight other Ukrainian wrestlers in the 2003 World Cup Championship, set for Boise, Idaho, April 5-6.    Zazirov has competed in five World Championships and two Olympic Games. He won a bronze medal in the 1997 Worlds and a silver in the 1998 Worlds. Zazirov took home the bronze medal from the 1996 Olympic Games and placed 11th in the 2000 Games. He also holds a 1990 Junior World title.    Ukraine is among five world wrestling powers competing in this annual international dual meet championship, along with host United States, Cuba, Russia and Germany.    Ukraine's World Cup lineup also includes star athletes Alik Musaev at 84kg/185 lbs. and Serhii Priadun at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.    Musaev placed sixth in the 2000 Olympic Games and took eighth at the 1999 World Championships. He holds boasts two silvers and a bronze medal from the 1996, 1997 and 1998 Junior World Championships, respectively.    Ukraine's heavyweight competitor, Serhii Priadun, competed in both the 1997 and the 2000 World Championships. In 2000, he took fifth at the World Cup Championships.    Ukraine's roster also features other experienced athletes including 2001 European Championships seventh place winner Gevork Markaryan at 55 kg/121 lbs., 1998 Junior World Championships bronze medalist Victor Bilokopitiy at 60 kg/132 lbs.and two-time World Military Championships silver medalist Sergiy Latyshev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.  Rounding ot the Ukraine lineup are Oleg Boyko at 74 kg/163 lbs., Viktor Dekhtyarov at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Vasyl Tesnynetsky at 96 kg/211.25 lbs.    Individual session tickets are on sale for the 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship. Tickets can be purchased at all Select-A-Seat locations, by phone at 208-331-TIXS, or on the Internet at www.idahotickets.com. For more information go to www.worldcupwrestling.com.    There will be four sessions of action, featuring the best international freestyle wrestling teams in the world. For Sessions I and III, the session prices are $16 for adults and $13 for youth (2-18 years). For Session II, which includes Opening Ceremonies, the session prices are $19 for adults and $16 for youth. For Session IV, which includes the final bouts and the Closing Ceremonies, the session prices are $26 for adults and $24 for youth.    The weekend will begin with a major youth wrestling competition, the World Cup Kids Open, set for Friday, April 4. Young wrestlers will be able compete in the tournament, then watch the world's best athletes at the World Cup. Medals from the World Cup Kids Open will be presented during the World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling. Participants must be USA Wrestling members. For information on the youth tournament, contact R.J. Scott by phone at (208) 587-9720 or via e-mail at rjscott64@cs.com.    Fans will find the best combined competition / hotel facility in the US.  The Luxurious Grove Hotel is attached to The Bank of America Centre. Stay at a Four-Diamond hotel, take the elevator to the lobby, and walk into the Bank of America Centre without ever going outside. Stay where the teams stay, the Grove Hotel for only $95 per night double occupancy, or groups of 10 or more $84 per night quad occupancy. Call 208-333-8000 and ask reservations for the World Cup rate.    2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship Ukraine Team  55 kg/121 lbs. Gevork Markaryan  60 kg/132 lbs. Victor Bilokopitiy  66 kg/145.5 lbs. Sergiy Latyshev  74 kg/163 lbs. Zaza Zazirov  74 kg/163 lbs. Oleg Boyko  84 kg/185 lbs. Alik Muzaev  96 kg/211.25 lbs. Vasyl Tismenetskiy  120 kg/264.5 lbs. Serhii Priadun    Click here for Ukraine World Cup team biographies.